Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the imposition of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state as part of efforts to strengthen security and address growing concerns over criminal activities in communities bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The curfew, which takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, will run daily from 4:00 pm to 8:00 am. and is expected to remain in force for an initial period of 48 hours.
The directive was conveyed in a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde.
According to the government, the measure is aimed at enhancing security operations and restricting the movement of criminal elements within the affected areas.
The local government areas affected by the curfew include Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.
The development comes amid heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, particularly following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area in May.
The kidnapping incident sparked widespread outrage and triggered a series of protests by civil society organisations and concerned residents demanding urgent action from both the state and federal governments.
One of the protests was organised by the Take-It-Back Movement, whose members staged demonstrations in Ibadan and other parts of the state, calling for the immediate release of the abducted victims.
Speaking during the latest protest held on Monday, the National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the demonstrations would continue until all abducted persons regained their freedom.
According to him, the protests were part of sustained efforts to draw attention to the plight of the victims and compel authorities to intensify rescue operations.
“This is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May,” Sanyaolu said.
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their homes and offices while innocent students and their teachers remain in the kidnappers’ den.”
He argued that the issue of insecurity should receive greater priority than political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We will not wait until 2027. By then, we may not even know how many people will still be alive.
“That is why we are in Oyo State, where the abduction occurred. The state and federal governments must act or continue to face mass action from citizens,” he added.
Residents of several communities in Oke-Ogun and surrounding areas have repeatedly raised concerns over increasing cases of kidnapping, attacks on travellers and other security threats linked to the forest corridors around the Old Oyo National Park.
Security agencies have intensified surveillance and operations in the affected areas in recent weeks as part of efforts to contain criminal activities and secure the release of abducted victims.
The state government has urged residents of the affected local government areas to comply fully with the curfew and cooperate with security agencies during the period.
Authorities also assured citizens that all necessary measures are being taken to restore peace and strengthen security across the state.
